Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sijo James DeMile Arrives in Michigan

The Michigan Wing Chun Do Club at Ambrose Academy experienced some of the best seminars given by its founder, Sijo James W. DeMile.  Sijo DeMile's inheritor, Rocco Ambrose, in the hopes that Sijo's injuries would eventually heal enough to allow him to travel comfortably, gave Sijo an open invitation to visit Ambrose Academy school anytime he could make it.  This year was the year.

The Michigan school is the biggest Wing Chun Do clubs in the country in terms of membership and as a training center. Sijo DeMile saw a large turnout for all three of his seminars.  Participants came in from  London, England and Alberta, Canada, and around the Midwest.  Sijo enjoyed the interaction and camaraderie he felt with students and mentioned how impressed he was with their openness, their eagerness to learn, and the family atmosphere.

The first seminar offered insights on Developmental Meditation and was such a big hit with students that they didn't want the session to end, asking lots of questions on developing these valuable techniques.

The second seminar was on Wing Chun Do, the martial art DeMile founded. Again, another great turn-out which always offers great energy and good feedback.  The more questions that come up, the more everyone learns. Sijo made contact with every student there, discussing techniques and making corrections.

Sibok Rocco, a great host, arranged a party in honor of Sijo on Saturday evening.  Good food and great company. Participants were rewarded with many stories regarding Sijo's early years with Bruce Lee and the Seattle group. One of the party participants, unaware of Sijo's  background and the art's beginnings and seeing the crowd around him, turned to the person next to her and asked, "Is he a rock star, or something?"  The answer came, "Yes. Yes he is."   It was a good night.

The third seminar was Sijo's seminar on Bruce Lee's One and Three Inch Power Punch.  This seminar has only been given a few times with this much detail and in a seminar setting, and all of them have been here at Ambrose Academy in Michigan, definitely a great privilege.  After a few hours of hitting the "books" everyone had a good understanding of the punches and had the combat wounds to prove it.  Although the seminar was to be only two hours long, no one wanted to leave, so Sijo gave them over an hour more.  Students understood that they were learning from a master and wanted as much time as they could get with him. This was an awesome afternoon with a great teacher.

The Michigan Wing Chun Do club at Ambrose Academy knew they would experience a once in a lifetime experience. And they were not disappointed.

Sibok Rocco Ambrose and his wife Elizabeth know how to put on a great event, where everyone walks away smiling big, super satisfied and filled to the brim with new knowledge, new insights, and an experience that they will remember forever.